Career Research: Researching with Databases

A very simple definition of a database -- A collection of information that can be accessed and searched through the Internet.

Polk State Libraries subscribes to over 100 databases.  Many are specialized and contain magazine and newspaper articles on a specific topic such as: Careers, Education, Psychology, Health Sciences etc.  

The databases are organized either alphabetically or by subject.  If you are not sure which database will be most useful. choose the subject listing, or consult with the librarian.

As a student at Polk, you have access to many career databases including:
(Require log in to view them)

• O*Net Online
  (Provides occupational information, including descriptors on hundreds of occupations).
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
  (The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. The Handbook is revised every two years).
• Testing & Education Reference Center
  (Testing & Education Reference Center helps prepare students for specialized tests for college, graduate school, the military or trade school. It includes preparatory tests from the GED [General Educational Development] to the GRE [Graduate Record Examination General Test]).

Salem Press also provides career resources in the following fields:
(Requires log in)

·  Careers in Building Construction

·  Careers in Business

·  Careers in Communications & Media

·  Careers in Environment & Conservation

·  Careers in Healthcare

·  Careers in Hospitality & Tourism

·  Careers in Human Services

·  Careers in Law, Criminal Justice & Emergency Services

·  Careers in Manufacturing & Production

·  Careers in Sales, Insurance & Real Estate

·  Careers in Science & Engineering

·  Careers in Technical Services & Equipment Repair

To log in to the library's online resources (databases, ebooks, articles, videos...), simply visit the Polk State Library Homepage and Articles/Databases and log in using the credentials listed below.